Experiment 6: Relative Density
Laboratory Report

Jessica Manansala, Nathaniel Martinez,
Maria Pacia, Jeanelle Pedrigal, Miguel Poblete

Department of Math and Physics
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Abstract
The experiment would introduce us to 3 concepts, namely, the definition of relative density, the Archimedes principle and the determination of density by the Archimedes principle. In the first activity, we were tasked with finding the density of a cylinder of a known metal; this was done by submersing the cylinder of metal in a measured amount of water and calculating the displaced water against the measured mass of the cylinder. The next activity required us to compute for the …show more content…
A 55.8 g of brass metal cylinder was then dipped on the graduated cylinder with water that causes the change in the volume of water that is in the graduated cylinder, 65. 9 cc. The change in the amount of volume can be explained by the Archimedes principle. The Archimedes principle is when an object is immersed in a fluid and is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object or any floating object displaces its own weight of fluid, as of what occurred in the experiment, the water got displaced by the brass metal cylinder. The buoyancy force then does not depend on the weight or shape of the submerged object, but only on the weight of the displaced fluid. If the density of the object is greater than that of the fluid, the object will sink. If the density of the object is equal to that of the fluid, the object will neither sink nor float. If the density of the object is less than that of the fluid, the object will float.

Activity 2
In the second activity, the density of the bone was used in applying the concept of relative density most especially on medical applications. In this activity, the density of the bone was used in determining if a bone is in normal condition (density of 1.8 g/cm3), or abnormal condition, if it has an osteopenia (density of 1.8 – 2.4 g/cm3) or low bone mass and osteoporosis (density of 2.5 g/cm3 and above) or low calcium content. In doing this, the group was assigned to first weigh the bone that was given to